The role of the hotel industry in the response to emerging epidemics: a case study of SARS in 2003 and H1N1 swine flu in 2009 in Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND: The global travel and tourism industry has been rapidly expanding in the past decades. The traditional focus on border screening, and by airline and cruise industries may be inadequate due to the incubation period of an infectious disease. This case study highlights the potential role of the hotel industry in epidemic preparedness and response. METHODS: This case study focuses on the epidemic outbreaks of SARS in 2003 and H1N1 swine flu in 2009 in Hong Kong, and the subsequent guidelines published by the health authority in relation to the hotel industry in Hong Kong which provide the backbone for discussion. RESULTS: The Metropole Hotel hastened the international spread of the 2003 SARS outbreak by the index case infecting visitors from Singapore, Vietnam, Canada as well as local people via close contact with the index case and the environmental contamination. The one-week quarantine of more than 300 guests and staff at the Metropark Hotel during the 2009 H1N1 swine flu exposed gaps in the partnership with the hotel industry. The subsequent guidelines for the hotel industry from the Centre of Health Protection focused largely on the maintenance of hygiene within the hotel premises. CONCLUSION: Positive collaborations may bring about effective preparedness across the health and the tourism sectors for future epidemics. Regular hygiene surveillance at hotel facilities, and developing coordination mechanism for impending epidemics on the use of screening, swift reporting and isolation of infected persons may help mitigate the impact of future events. Preparedness and contingency plans for infectious disease control for the hotel industry requires continuous engagement and dialogue.

A systematic review of the long-term effectiveness of work-based lifestyle interventions to tackle overweight and obesity.

Obesity is one of the five leading global risks for mortality, accounting for 5% of deaths worldwide. Workplace health promotion programs have the potential to deliver population-level interventions combining physical activity and exercise. However, there is no recent critical review of trials on long-term effectiveness of multicomponent lifestyle interventions in the workplace targeting obesity. Good quality evidence is needed to develop optimal strategies to tackle adult obesity. 1035 studies were retrieved by literature search in MEDLINE, Embase, PSYCH INFO and Cochrane library from 2005 to September 2016. 11 studies were identified, which were critiqued using 2010 CONSORT guideline. Most of the studies were not high quality. Five studies reported positive findings. Many studies included environmental interventions, but only two showed significant Body Mass Index (BMI) reduction. Studies showing significant BMI reduction were of high intensity or included a specific motivational component. Although there is some evidence demonstrating long-term effectiveness of multicomponent lifestyle interventions in the workplace targeting obesity, more research is needed into the best methods of conducting these interventions. This study provides evidence that could be used as the basis for implementing similar programs.